Latest update August 4th, 2026 12:30 AM
Mar 29, 2019 News
During the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), Chairman Komal Samaroo disclosed that the entity’s gross loan portfolio as at December 31,
2018 grew to $3.008B or by 7% from $2.806B in 2017.
During 2018, 4,091 loans were processed and disbursed for a value of $2.663B compared to 4,218 loans for a value of $2.684B in 2017.
“This is a decline of 3% and 1% in number and value respectively. The total number of loans outstanding as at December 31, 2018 declined to 3,938 or 3% from 4,064 in 2017,” the AGM was told.
The Chairman also informed the gathering that the founder Dr. Yesu Persaud, retired from the board of IPED at the end of January 2018. Dr. Persaud is 90.
“His leadership and sterling contribution over 32 years to the development and growth of IPED, an institution focused on improving the livelihoods of micro and small business entrepreneurs will not be forgotten.”
According to Samaroo, in his address to the AGM: “IPED continues to be a pillar in the growth and development of the ordinary man and woman in their quest of owning their own busine
sses.”
The overall quality of the loans portfolio has recorded a marginal improvement with Portfolio at Risk (principal balance of loans in arrears for more than 30 days as percentage of gross loans) being 16.16% in 2018 compared to 18.35% in 2017.
Non-performing loans as a percentage of gross loans improved from 10.2% in 2017 to 9.8% in 2018.
Data obtained from loan applications processed in 2018 indicates that micro and small businesses supported by IPED employed approximately 8,627 persons.
Of the total applications processed in 2018, loans to female principal borrowers were 33% (2017: 35%), Rural borrowers were 93% (2017: 91%), Youth borrowers were 5% (2017: 6%) and 72% (2017: 76%) were for borrowers without real estate collateral.
According to Samaroo, the financial position of IPED has strengthened over the year and continues to be stable.
Total assets grew to $3.720B or by 8% from $3.498B at December 2017. This is financed by $3.267B (2017: $3.221B) of accumulated funds and surpluses.
Total Liabilities increased to $454M or by 63% from $278M at December 2017.
During 2018, a loan of $200M was drawn down from Demerara Bank Limited and $41M from the IDB. These were used to fund the
growth of the loans portfolio.
The financial performance for the year has improved with a total surplus of $102.5M for the year compared to $85.7M for the year 2017.
“This is an increase of $16.8M or 19.6%. The total interest income for the year was $539M compared to $512M in 2017, an increase of $27M or 5%. Total investment and other income was $57M compared to $55M in 2017 an increase of $2M or 4%.”
The total expenses for 2018 were $490M compared to $479M in 2017, an increase of $11M or 2.3%.
“The year 2018 came with its fair share of challenges but vigilance, strategic decision making and innovation has allowed us to emerge with satisfactory results.”
IPED is a not for profit organization but manages its financial affairs to ensure that the institution is sustainable and self-sufficient.
.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Rising Debt, Rising US Dollar Rate in Oil-rich Guyana!
Aug 04, 2026
Cricinfo – Pakistan’s batters finally came to life in this Test series, imposing their authority on this second Test. An unbeaten 168-run partnership between Babar Azam and Abdullah...Aug 04, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – There is an old saying that a leopard cannot change its spots. In Guyana, we have improved upon this principle. Our political leopard does not merely retain its spots; it carries them into parliament, polishes them, frames them, hangs them on the wall and then attempts to...Aug 02, 2026
By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – Daniel Ortega has now said openly what his regime has demonstrated for years: the people of Nicaragua are not to be permitted to remove their rulers through elections. During celebrations marking the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution, Ortega...Jul 30, 2026
Hard Truths by GHK Lall (Kaieteur News) – A tragedy of catastrophic proportions is now Guyana’s to manage. An old passenger ferry boat went to the bottom. According to news reports of Saturday, 73 bodies have been recovered and 76 rescued. Taking the official count of 179 passengers on...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com